Clock case of stoneware or like brittle material



Feb. 13, 1940. H N- ANS 2,190,158

CLOCK CASE OF STONEWARE 0R LIKE BRITTLE MATERIAL Filed July 1, 1938 fnVen/or: HELMUT JUNGHANS Patented Feb. 13, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOCK CASE OF STONEWARE OB LIKE BRITTLE MATERIAL In Germany June 1, 1937 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to clock cases of stoneware or like brittle material and relates more particularly to cases which consist of parts connected to each other by hinge-like means. The

problem with which the invention deals is to provide a hinged connection in which the usual screwholes are avoided, more particularly in the weak case parts, for instance in the case cover. The hinge-like means must be elastic'and allow of an even contact of the case parts with each other. The use of metal parts is also to be avoided as far as possible.

A clock case which fulfills these requirements, is characterised according to the invention in that the hinge is formed by a part-cylindrical rib on one member held in a corresponding groove in the other by an elastic inter-connection between the members. For example, the rib may be cally undermined to form one or more short cylindrical sections each embraced by means in tension elastically secured to the grooved member of the container. The means in tension referred to may be a hook the shank of which is mounted on the grooved member in the manner of a spring plunger.

The advantage of such a construction of the hinge-like means consists in that recesses or grooves and ribs can be produced without difficulty in stoneware and similar materials, that sharp-angle transitions, thin walls and openings which increase the risk of breaking, can be avoided and (for instance when using elastic connection members of rubber) metal parts are avoided. This means not only a reduction of the cost of manufacture, more particularly in assembly, but in addition metal materials also saved.

Further features will appear from the following description and accompanying-drawing of a construction according to the invention applied by way of example to a kitchen clock case made in two parts.

In the drawing:

Figures 1 and 2 show the clock in plan and in front elevation respectively, and

Figure 3 is a cross-section through the clock case, showing the hinge and the lock.

The clock case marked a as a whole consists of the container part al and the hinged cover a2. The container part al comprises a chamber a3 which is open at the front and intended to receive the movement and the dial.

For connecting together the cover 412 and the case part al, the following arrangement is used:

At the upper side of the case part al, at the point where the hinge pin is usually situated,

there is provided a semi-cylindrical groove b extending along the lateral edge of the cover (12. As a counterpart of it, the left hand cover edge is formed into the bead-shaped rib c. The rib c is of cylindrical shape over about three quarters of 5 its circumference and allows of a turning of the cover from the closed position into the open position at right angles thereto.

In order to keep the rib c in the groove b tension hooks d are provided. They enclose short 10 cylindrical portions cl of the rib c which are formed by locally undermining and reducing the rib c. The hook cl is passed with its stem dl through a hole e of a larger diameter in the com tainer part at. It is pulled against the part al 15 by a spring 1 arranged between the part al and the nut g with the interposition of washers h. The assembling of the cover a2 and container part ai is effected by hanging the hooks d on the parts cl, of the rib, dropping the cover into place, and 20 slipping the parts f, g and h on to the hook shanks from beneath. The'nut g is so tightened that during the turning of the cover a2 the rib a can slide without play in the groove b.

The following arrangement is made for locking 25 the cover:

In the container part 112 through a hole 1' is passed the screw stud la and locked by means of washers Z and nuts m. On the cover a2 is mountthe locking nut n provided with a milled head nl. 30 The nut is loosely carried in the hole 0, ol, in the cover and prevented from falling out on the one hand by the Washer p, and on the other hand by the washer q forming a flared mouth to the nut. The object of this arrangement is to enable the 35 locking nut n to align itself automatically relatively to the fixed screw stud k for compensating any inaccuracies due to the elastic construction of the hinge. For that reason, the screw stud is also provided with a conical point which during the closing of the cover strikes the funnel-shaped surface of the washer g and under the locking pressure, pushes the nut 11. laterally into place.

At the upper side of the container part al, the packing ring or gasket (rubber tube) 8 is inserted 45 round the edge of the working chamber a3, into a groove r. In closing, the cover al engages with the gasket, and on the nut n being tightened, is pressed more firmly against the latter, the rib c being then lifted slightly from its seat in the groove in opposition to the action of the spring 7. The cover a2 is then in firm and even contact with the container part al.

The use of the hinge-like connection according to the invention is illustrated only by way of ex- 55 Having now particularly describedand ascertained the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is: g

l. A container or case having two relatively movable members, a hinge between said members comprising a part-cylindrical rib on one of said members and a complemental groove in the other member for receiving said rib, saiol'rib having a short. entirely cylindrical section therein, and elastic means embracing the cylindrical section of the riband secured to said grooved member for 25 holding said rib in said groove.

said rib in said groove.

2. A container, or case having two relatively movable members, a hinge between said members comprising a part-cylindrical rib on one of said members and a complemental groove in the other member for receiving said rib, said rib having a short entirely cylindrical section, a hook embracing said section with its shank secured in said grooved member, and elastic means between the said groovedmember and the said shank for holding said rib in said groove."

3. A container or case according to claim 2, in which said elastic means between the grooved member and the shank comprises a spring.

4. A clock case comprising a container member of ceramic ware for accommodating a clock a movement, a shallow glazed lid member of ceramic ware, and a hinge between said members comprising a part-cylindrical rib on said lid member and a complemental groove in said container member for receiving said rib, said rib having a plurality of short entirely cylindrical sections, and elastic means. embracing each of said sections and secured to said container member for holding HELMUT J UNGHANS. 

